![[Writer] Mr. tsubaking](https://arne.media/uploads/2024/10/cropped-IMG_6467-80x80.jpg)
Yurax, a sauna chain from Kumamoto known as the "holy land of saunas in the west," is opening its second location in Fukuoka on August 28th, 2026 (Friday)!
Following the official announcement, there was a flurry of excited comments on social media and elsewhere.
On the other hand, while the Kumamoto location was a large roadside facility, the second location is in Imaizumi, in the heart of Fukuoka City, leading to some posts expressing concern, such as, "What kind of sauna will it be on such a small plot of land?"
When I actually visited, my worries were pleasantly dispelled!
We'll tell you all about the new "Yurax No. 2" sauna that opened in Fukuoka!
Index
A spacious sauna that's only possible because it's co-ed! "Yurax AMBIENT Fukuoka Imaizumi" (Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Yurax AMBIENT Fukuoka Imaizumi is located in Imaizumi, in the heart of Fukuoka City, just 700 meters (about a 10-minute walk) from Tenjin-Minami Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line. It's conveniently located for a quick stop on your way out, shopping, or even on your way home from work.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
Some expressed concern that the facilities might be cramped because they are located in the city center, but by making them co-ed, there was no need to create multiple bathrooms, allowing for a spacious sauna room, a huge cold plunge pool, and a relaxing outdoor relaxation area.
"I was thinking of making it men-only. But I thought it wouldn't be right to narrow the entrance, so I decided to make it shared," says owner Yoshitaka Nishio.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
Therefore, swimwear is required when bathing, but those who feel uncomfortable wearing swimwear can rest assured. You can use all facilities except the cold bath and jacuzzi while wearing the provided loungewear!
Even at 80 degrees, you'll be sweating profusely! The staff's "Aufguss" includes music and light effects.
The bathrooms are located on the second and third floors. After washing up in the shower room next to the changing room, it's time to head to the sauna!
Image: Mr.tsubaking
The second floor features a massive sauna that could easily accommodate around 40 people. I was surprised by its size, thinking, "This size in Imaizumi?!"
The temperature setting is a gentle 80 degrees.
However, Mr. Nishio says, "A balance between temperature and humidity is important for sweating. We've set it up to be just right," so you can expect to sweat profusely even if the temperature isn't too high!
To maintain that balance, the löyly (the process of adding water and fragrance to heated stones to generate steam), which is performed once every hour, is not done automatically like in recent times, but by the staff.
Each time, an Aufguss is held where the steam rising from the löyly is stirred with a bath towel, and the resulting hot air is blown onto the body.
Your perceived temperature will rise dramatically, and you'll sweat profusely!
Image: Mr.tsubaking
During the Aufguss session, music plays from large speakers in the sauna, and the room's lights change to colorful tunes in sync with the music. It's an entertainment space that feels like being in a club.
It's more than just a sweat; there's an "experience" to be had there!
A giant 10-ton water bath! The torrential rain effect is reminiscent of "Seven Samurai" and is amazing!
The cold plunge pool is also huge, holding a whopping 10 tons of water!
Image: Mr.tsubaking
Therefore, even on busy weekends, you can enter comfortably, and the temperature remains cool even with a lot of people coming and going.
And it's 130cm deep! You can immerse yourself up to your shoulders and cool down your overheated body thoroughly.
Diving, which is prohibited in many hot spring facilities, is allowed here!
There are underwater speakers installed in the bathtub, so you can hear music that can only be heard when you're submerged!
Furthermore, there are countless overhead showers and giant fans above. When these are turned on, water pours down from above like a torrential downpour.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
Nishio, a film enthusiast, apparently based his design on a scene from Akira Kurosawa's film "Seven Samurai," in which the characters fight in a torrential downpour.
Please note that you, the one using the cold bath, are the one who activates this shower!
You'll need the red speaking tube located next to the bathtub. It reminds me of the speaking tube that appeared in the Studio Ghibli film "Castle in the Sky."
Image: Mr.tsubaking
If you call out to it, "Turn on the shower!" or "Please give me some water!", if you're lucky, it will rain heavily!
You'll have to wait and see where the speaking tube is connected!
"Turn on the shower!" The end of the speaking tube was, surprisingly, the sauna on the 3rd floor.
There is another sauna on the third floor, which is also set to a temperature of around 80 degrees Celsius.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
What's unique about it is that the back is designed so you can lie down inside!
Image: Mr.tsubaking
Lying down in a sauna is often not allowed in many establishments due to etiquette and moral considerations.
However, with this design that practically says, "Please, feel free to lie down," you can relax and enjoy the sauna without worrying about anything!
If you look closely, you'll see a speaking tube here too.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
That's right! When someone calls out "Turn on the shower!" from the cold bath on the second floor, the voice can be heard all the way up to the sauna on the third floor!
If someone is inside the sauna, and they "feel like it," they press a button located deep inside the speaking tube. This activates the shower on the second floor.
What a playful and exciting gimmick!
Of course, sometimes the shower won't come on even if you call for it.
"In the end, 'Seven Samurai' is a losing battle. Life isn't always smooth sailing, is it? But you just have to enjoy it, including the downsides. So I hope people will enjoy it, even when the water doesn't come," (Owner Nishio).
These days, every service is meticulously polished, and bugs, especially in games, are considered absolute evil. But this is a wonderful mechanism that reminds us to have the flexibility to enjoy things that aren't perfect.
The rooftop offers fresh air and a jacuzzi! A luxury that allows you to "waste time."
The third floor has a rooftop with a spacious outdoor relaxation area and a jacuzzi.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
It's rare to be able to relax like this, gazing at the sky, right in the heart of Fukuoka City!
During warmer months, the jacuzzi is kept at body temperature, so you might enjoy the luxury of relaxing and wasting time!
Another unusual feature is the presence of a counter where you can order drinks, located next to these outdoor relaxation spaces.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
There was a reason behind it from owner Nishio.
"We also considered that even if you come with your lover or friend, and one of you loves saunas while the other isn't, you can still spend a relaxing time here."
Since swimwear and indoor wear are required, you can bring your smartphone. You won't be bored while you're there!
Expressing "impermanence of all things" in a sauna? Playful touches scattered throughout the store.
This establishment features a cold bath with a mechanism reminiscent of the movie "Seven Samurai."
Furthermore, owner Nishio, who likes the concept of "impermanence of all things," embodies it in his sauna.
"We use far-infrared gas stoves, which were commonly used in saunas in the past. Nowadays, they're all electric. Far-infrared gas stoves heat you up differently than electric ones; they give you a feeling similar to sitting around a campfire."
Image: Mr.tsubaking
The term "impermanence of all things" carries the nuance that "all things are constantly changing, and no two things remain the same forever."
The far-infrared gas stove has exactly that story, and that's why we "deliberately" introduced it.
Additionally, the courtyard space on the first floor has been named "Nakaniwa Kakuei" (Courtyard Kakuei).
Image: Mr.tsubaking
"I really like Kakuei Tanaka (the former Prime Minister). He, too, rose from humble origins to become prime minister, only to be brought down by the very subordinates he had nurtured. The whiskey that Kakuei Tanaka drank in his later years was 'Old Parr,' so that's the only whiskey we stock," says owner Nishio.
Image: Mr.tsubaking
The essence of "Yurax AMBIENT Fukuoka Imaizumi" is scattered throughout the restaurant, reflecting the idea that even glorious times eventually fade, as seen in "Seven Samurai," which has a far from happy ending.
"Everyone has ups and downs in life, but I hope this can be an encouragement to people going through those times," says owner Nishio.
Of course, it feels great to achieve a state of deep relaxation in a sauna. But if you visit after learning about themes like "Seven Samurai" or "impermanence," you might be able to enjoy it in a different way.
"Yurax AMBIENT Fukuoka Imaizumi" will open on August 28th, 2026 (Friday). Why not try a slightly unusual sauna experience in the heart of Fukuoka? (Text by Mr.tsubaking)
＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Yurax AMBIENT Fukuoka Imaizumi
Address: 2-4-58 Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM (Last entry 11:00 PM)
Closed on: None
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※Text and images:Mr. Tsubaking
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